Combination furniture



July 22, 1958 w. R. BROWN COMBINATION FURNITURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 18, 1956 ,y .IINN. [www I Wn i 1 c 1 NN WW f/f IN VEN TOR.

/ Afro/away July 22, 1958 w. R. lesRQwN` 2,843,856 COMBINATION FURNTURE Filed Jan. 18, 195e 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 2,843,856 COMBINATION FURNITURE William R. Brown, Cleveland, Ohio Application January 18, 1956, Serial No. 559,854 4 Claims. (Cl. 5-16) My invention pertains to an article of furniture so designed and constructed that it is convertible to afford different types of accommodations within a limited amount of space.

One of the objects of this invention is to present an artlcle of furniture designed and constructed to completely resemble a high grade davenport when set up in one position and to have the full characteristics of a bed when converted to another position.

Another object of this invention is to so style and construct an article of convertible furniture that when in use as a davenport it is of pleasing appearance and is fully comfortable and when converted to use as a bed the dimensions and construction are such that it is attractive and very comfortable.

Another object of this invention is to so conserve space that while it offers the facilities of both a davenport and a bed, it does not require more room space than one of the objects alone would require.

Another object of this invention is that it affords a davenport and bed of suiiiciently sturdy construction that 1t may be used in homes, apartments or subjected to the rough usage usually experienced in hotels, motels, ships or trailers.

Still another object of this invention is attained in that it may be converted from davenport to use as a bed or from bed to davenport simply, a single operation.

Yet another object of this invention is that this article of furnitture may easily and quickly be converted from use as Ia davenport to a single, double or even twin beds and from either of these back to use as a davenport.

A further object of this invention is that it is not necessary to remove any of the parts of this article of furniture when converting it from one use to another. It is not necessary to remove the cushions or backrest in converting to a bed, nor is it necessary to remove the bedding when converting it to a davenport.

A further object of this invention is that the article of furniture is so designed and constructed that neither the davenport cushion nor backrest is used for bed `purposes nor is the bed used as a davenport.

A further object of this invention is that it is not necessary to make up or make ready the bed a'fter conversion from use as a davenport to use as a bed. Although this may be done, it can be done in advance of the time it is desired for such use or use as a davenport.

A still further object of this invention is that because of the simplicity of construction, its compactness and its ease of operation, this dual purpose article of `convertible furniture can be produced to sell at a price much below the price of both a conventional davenport and ra bed. i i

Another object is the unique selection, arrangement, and combination of various mechanical advantagede- Vices to provide in an article of convertiblefurniture a quickly and easily by ICC structure which is extremely easy to convert completely, even by the most delicate of `domestic help.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will bei come more apparent as the following description of an embodiment thereof progresses, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same. t

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an article of convertible furniture involving my invention and shows the sarne with the parts in position for use as a davenport;

Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to that shown in Figure l except that the article of furniture is illustrated as converted into a bed;

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 6, with the article of furniture in position for use as a davenport;

Figure4 is a view of the article of furniture similar to that ofFigure 3 showing how the article is converted for use as a bed;

Figure 5 is an end view through the left end panel as in Figures l and 2 with the `upholstery or covering removed Vand illustrates a means for projecting and withdrawing a backwall stop to provide clearance for the rear bed section when the article is in use as a twin bed;

Figure 6 is a section taken in the direction of the line 6`6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a bottom View of the spring and mattress section showing a releasable latch means for supporting the section in one position;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail View of the latch mechanism shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a slightly enlarged detail of certain of the mechanism employed' in converting the article of furniture from one use to the other;

Figure 10 is a slightly enlarged section taken on line 10-10 of Figure 5; and

Figure 1l is a detail `of the bed section hinge having a sliding connection with the backrest frame and a fixed connection with the bed unit.

The convertible article of furniture embodying my invention includes a main frame, a bed frame, davenport seat and backrest elements and means associated with said elements, said bed frame and said main frame whereby the article of furniture may easily and quickly be converted for use as a davenport or as a bed by a simple manual operation.

l have illustrated in the accompanying drawings one `embodiment of the present invention and in carrying out the invention, I provide a main frame comprising opposite end walls or panels 1 and 1 supported in vertical position by means of the upright backwall 2 and a base frame comprising side rails 4 and a back rail 5 `and a forward rail 6. Uprights 3 spaced apart in substantially parallel relation are provided in each of the end panels 1 and 1. A forward upright is indicated at 7 and is firmly supported on the bottom side rails 4 by means of the corner angle irons 8 adjacent each end panel.

Horizontal substantially parallel spaced apart frame members 9 and 10 extend from the forward upright 3 to the front upright 7. Angles 11 engaging the forward uprights 3 and the base rails 4 are also provided to insure a sturdy frame assembly. The entire frame assembly is ambulant, being supported on the floor by the forward rollers 12 and rear rollers orcasters 13.

It will be understood that all of the mechanism by which the conversion is accomplished is duplicated at each side of the article and while the details of the emsame are duplicated at the opposite or right hand end.

It will be noted in Fig. that the lforward supporting rollers or casters 12 are forward of rails 4 and are mounted on the lower end of upright 7 which is attached to upright 7, as indicated generally at 14, Fig. 4. It will be seen that the rear rollers or casters 13 are mounted to support the rear end of the frame and nest within an opening formed by a cutaway portion of the rear ends of the rails 4. I provide iiller members 1S and 16 which are disposed one above the other, respectively, and are supported by the lower frame rails 4, the iiller member 16 being of greater length and extending in abutting relation `between the forward upright 3 and the rear wall 2 of the frame. The lower filler member is of shorter length and extends from the same uprights 3 rearwardly to terminate in alignment with the cutaway portion of the base rails 4. An angled cover plate 17 is secured by bolts or the like to the base rail 4 and to the two iller members 15 and 16, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and also is secured to the back rail 5 and backwall 2.

As has been pointed out above, an article of convertible furniture embodying my invention also includes a bed section and in the event the device is to include a double or twin bed, two bed sections will be included, as illustrated in the drawings, which, in conjunction with the main `frame and end panels, can be positioned and utilized as a bed.

The invention also contemplates means whereby the article of furniture may be converted from a bed to a davenport, or vice versa. In order that the furniture may be used as a davenport, there is provided a seat member and a backrest and in order to further carry out the invention whereby the article of furniture may easily be converted from one utilitarian purpose to the other, I have provided a simple, yet effective and positive mechanism associated with the bed members and the davenport members, as well as the main frame, such mechanism being primarily housed within the main frame in use and thereby protected against rough usage as may be experienced in hotel or motel use, as well as thereby enhancing the appearance of the article of furniture in either converted position by eliminating unsightly mechanical parts when 1n use.

I will iirst describe the construction as illustrated in the drawings as it relates to use of the article of convertible furniture as a davenport. First referring to Figs. 3 and 6, there is provided a davenport backrest 18 which is hingedly and slidably connected at 19 to a davenport seat cushion 20, A pair of brackets 21 are secured in alignment on opposite sides of the backrest frame members at each end of the backrest and each has a forward horizontal extension 22 overlying the rear ends of the frame members of the seat cushion 20 pivotally connecting the backrest and seat cushion, as indicated at 19. The upper rear end of the backrest 18 is hingedly and slidably connected with a bed section 23 which section is forward of the bed section 24. A `downwardly extending leg 2S is secured to the rear and lower portion of the b-ackrest frame as shown clearly in Fig. 3 and extends downwardly in an offset extension 26 to terminate in a free roller or caster 27 which, when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3, will rest upon an inward extension of the side rails 4, inwardly of the U-shaped guide member 28. This guide member 28 is illustrated in detail in Fig. 9.

The seat cushion 20 of the davenport is provided with a forward leg portion 29 which extends downwardly along the side of each forward end of the cushion frame and carries at its lower end a freely rotatable roller 30, a plate 31 that connects the depending portion of the leg 29 with the sides of the seat frame and carries a supporting track 32 which extends rearwardly and upwardly along the sides of the seat frame and terminates at its upper or inner end in a stop or U-shaped portion indicated at 33. This stop is provided to limit the forward motion of the cushion. This track is provided with a flange 34 to form a channel to receive and guide a freely rotatable roller 35 which is carried by each of the inner portions of the end panels 1 and l. It will be seen by comparing Figs. 3 and 4 that when the parts are shifted, the roller 35 will have relative movement along the track or channel 32 from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4.

It will be seen from Figs. 3 and 4 that in rotating the anterior bed section and backrest forwardly, the cushion also is forced forwardly and downwardly to bed position and there supported by legs 29 and side rails 4; that when the anterior section of the bed and backrest are rotated rearwardly, the seat frame is urged rearwardly and upwardly by pressure of legs 26 against a counterbalance block 36, to davenport position and there supported by legs 26 and rollers 35. The counterbalance block 36 is supported on the side rails 4 and is provided with inclined surfaces 37 and 38 which converge to a point intermediate the ends of the block. A rear end wall 39 of block 36 provides an abutment against which the roller 27 on the leg 26 rests when the davenport is in use as seen in Fig. 3. This block also serves a purpose in connection with the bed section 23 as will be pointed out specifically hereinafter.

It has been seen how that portion of the structural features of the invention relating to the davenport assembly are correlated and their operation will be described more fully hereinafter in conjunction with those portions of the structure which make up the bed aspect of the convertible furniture.

I will now proceed to describe those elements and associated parts which according to my invention as illustrated herein are employed in the construction and operation of the bed aspect.

While the bed illustrated in the accompanying drawings illustrates a twin bed arrangement in combination with a davenport, the bed may be that of double size or even a single bed, if desired. In the case of a double or single bed, certain parts of the structure illustrated in the drawings may be eliminated and this may be pointed out hereinafter.

Referring now primarily to Figs. 4 and 5, the bed shown therein comprises a pair of bed or mattress sections 23 and 24 hingedly connected together by hinge plates 42 which in turn are pivotally connected together at 43. It will be noted that, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the hinge is disposed along the adjacent end portions of the mattress or bed sections and that the fulcrum 43 is disposed slightly above the top surface of the bed sections.

Referring once again to Fig. 3, it will be seen that when the convertible article of furniture is in use as a davenport, these bed sections 23 and 24 will be disposed in vertical position one behind the other and both behind the backrest 18 and seat cushion 20 of the davenport. In this position, they will, of course, be out of sight and will have the protection of the frame of the article of furniture, as well as of the backrest of the davenport.

I provide a covering or top for the bed section storage portion of the article of furniture which consists of transverse panels 44, 45 and 46, the adjacent edges of the panels 44 and 4S being beveled as at 47 to provide a close iit when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3. The adjacent edges of the panels 45 and 46 are beveled or lnclined in opposite directions as at 48 to eliminate pinching o'f the bed covering on bed section 23. The panel 44 1s xedly carried by the bed unit 24 while the two panels 4S and 46 which are hingedly connected at 49 are carried by the bed section 23 during its movement from the vertical to horizontal position, the panel 45 being capable of being rotated in a clockwise direction in Fig. 3 to overlie the panel 46 during such movement yof the bed section.

The panel 46 is fixed to the upper frame wall of the bed sectlon 23 and when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4, the two panels 45 and 46 assume the position shown in these figures. l

A hinge comprising two hinge plates 50 and 51 pivotally connected together at 52 connect `the backrest `18 with the bed section 23, the hinge plate 50 being flxedly connected to the bed section 23 while the hinge plate 51 is slidably connected with the backrest frame. In` this manner, when the conversion is made from `a davenport to` a bed, the slidable mounting of the hinge plate 51 on the backrest 18 provides for a certain amount of sliding movement between the backrest 18 and the bed section 23 as these parts go through a portion of their cycle in the complete conversion of the article of furniture in either direction. In Fig. l1 I haveillustrated this hinge in detail, showing the hinge plate 51 slidably operating in a channeled cover plate 53 which is fastened to the frame of the backrest 18. y Y

I provide a pair of opposed supporting members 54 which are aixed to the inner walls of the respective end panels 1 and 1 in opposed position, these `supporting members having a topsupporting surface 55 and a forward curved surface 56 over which the truck 57 provided with rollers 58 is adapted toride during the conversion operation and when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3, this supporting member serves as a support for the forward bed section in avertical position.

` The bed section 24 is provided with a roller 59 which in turn rides over the track or block 60 which is supported on the end frames 1, and 1 as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5, the block 60 serving as a means `whereby the bed section 24 is pivotally supportednot only in theposition shown in Fig. 3 but in the full open bed position as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the roller 59 traveling from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4 from conversion from a davenport to a bed.

The frame of bed section 23 isslotted as at 61 to receive a pin or roller carried by the upper end of the guide bar 62 in sliding relation. The lower end of the guide bar 62 is formedv in a substantial L-shape and terminates in a short arm 63 which cam'es a pin roller 64 operating in a substantially diagonal slot 65 in the side walls of the U-shaped member 28. The guide bars 62 provide a direct and sliding pivotal `guide connection between the bed section 23 and the U-shaped member 28. The bed section 23 carries a supporting plate 67 secured to the frame of the bed section and which depends to a point below the bottom surface of the bed section as indicated in Fig. 4 -to engage and have a rolling contact with a roller 68 which is carried by the frame of the end panel 1 and 1', this roller servingas a support for the bed section 23 in horizontal position when in the position shown in Fig. 4. It will be noted in Fig. 4 that the guide bars 62 assume a position shown therein when the bed is open and ready for use.

A bar 69 is also carried by the bed section23 and is provided at its outer end with a roller 70 which is adapted `to roll upon the inclined surface 37 of the block 36.

During the conversion of this article of combination furniture from davenport to bed, the forward bed section 23 is guided and/or carried by guide bars 62 as it is rotated forwardly in a clockwise direction until'supporting plate 67 comes to rest on rollers 68 at which point the hinged ends of bed sections 23 and 24 are supported in lowered position by rollers 70 of bars 69 resting on the main frame end members 4 at a point indicated in dotted lines at 70', Fig. 4, and in which position the pivot action resulting from pressure downwardly on the forward portion of bed section 23 causes rollers 70 to travel up the incline surfaces 37 of blocks 36 to the solid line position in this gure, thus elevating the hinged ends of bed sections 23 and 24 to horizontal or bed position, as shown, there to be releasably held by latch members 84. In bed position, bed sections 24 and 23 are supported by backwall 2, rollers 59, latch members 84, rollers 68 and the most forward portion of bed section 23 can also have partial support by backrest 18 which in turn is sure on a latch pull bar 8S whereupon the hinged ends of bed sections 23 and 24 are dropped to lowered position as rollers 7l) travel down incline 37 of blocks 36 to rest on main frame end members 4 as at 70 and with the bed section 23 then in inclined position, bar 69 becomes a pivot over which bed section 23 c'an be rotated in a counter clockwise direction guided and/or carried by guide bars 62 to davenport position. In davenport position, bed sections 24 and 23 are supported in vertical position by rollers 59 and rollers 58 on the block 60 and supporting members 54, respectively.

To facilitate the conversion from a davenport to twin beds, I employ a link or arm 71 pivotally mounted in the U-shaped member 28,` as at 72, and which 'is pivotally carried at its other end by a member 73 which embraces and is slidable along the guide bar 62. Intermediate the ends of the lever or arm 71 it is pivotally attached by means of the bolt or pivot pin 74 to a pull strap 75. The pull strap 75 is provided with means indicated at 76 whereby the ends of a cable 77 may be securely attached thereto, the cable being threaded over a forward pulley 78 and a rear pulley 79. The forward pulley is rotatably supported in the forward frame upright near the inner side thereof while the rear pulley 79 is adjustably supported by the rear upright 3 near the inner side thereof by means of an adjusting bolt 80. A push bar 81 extends rearwardly through openings in the uprights 3 and at its forward end it is attached to cable 77 by means of a clamp 82. The rear end of the push bar may extend downwardly and terminates in a rearwardly projecting wall cushion or the like 83. This mechanism is preferably used only with twin bed units and serves to automatically extend the push bars 81 rearwardly as in Fig. 5 to engage a room wall whereby to push the article of furniture away from the wall sufficiently to allow clearance for the bed section when it assumes bed position. Of course, the push bars are retracted toward the back wall 2 when the guide bars 62 are rotated in a counter clockwise direction from the position in Figs. 4 and 5.

As illustrated in Fig. 7, l have shown bed section 23 from the bottom thereof to more clearly 4illustrate the latch mechanism employed whereby the bed sections 23 and 24 may be releasably held in horizontal position :for use as a bed. A pair of latch bars 84 extend lengthwise along the rear portion of the bed section 23 and are slidable in guide straps 86 secured to the frame of the bed section. The adjacent inner ends of the bars are provided with rollers on pins 87 projecting .into and operating alo-ng the rearwardly converging slots 88 formed in an offset end of the latch pull bar 85. The opposite end of the pull bar is formed into a depending grip portion 89 while the bar itself is slidably supported on the underside of the bed section 23 by the straps 90. Referring to Fig. 8, I have shown a coiled -spring 91 for exerting forces of compression simultaneously against the inner ends of the bars 84 to normally extend them longitudinally outwardly, the spring being mounted on a rod or other support 92 carried by the inner ends of the bars 84. Associated with this latching mechanism is a latch plate 93 mounted upon each end fra-me member 1 and 1. These plates are secured to the inner surfaces of the end frame forward upright 3, and the horizontal frame members 10, 15 and 16 as well as the rail 4, and are each provided with a latch lopening 94 for receiving the outer ends of the latch bars 84 when the bed sections 23 and 24 are in bed position.

When the bed section 23 is in vertical or davenport position, bars 84 are in extended position against plates 93 in a gradually recessed or depressed section thereof. However, during the time the bed section 23 is being moved from vertical toward horizontal position, bars 84 are forced by plates 93 to retracted position and when the bed sections 23 and 24 are in horizontal or bed position, spring 91 automatically pushes bars 84 outwardly into latch opening 94 where they are supported on main frame members 10, thus releasably holding bed sections 23 and 24 in bed position.

In converting from bed to davenport position, the operator first pulls the pull bar 85 outwardly to withdraw the bars 84. from the openings 94 and after the bed sections are moved so that the bar ends are out of register with the openings 94, the handle or grip 89 may be released whereupon further movement of the bed sections Aaway from bed position will permit the ends of the bars to pass along the inner Walls of the plate 93 in retracted position until they are returned to the recessed or depressed section of plates 93 whereupon the latch bars 84 are in extended position and pull bar 85 returns to retracted position.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated means for automatically positioning a front apron member 95 hingedly carried at 96 by the seat frame 20 and foldable under the seat frame when the article of furniture is converted to bed use and releasable to assume a vertical position as in Fig. 1 when the conversion is made to a davenport. Such means may linclude a rod or the like 97 pivotally attached at one end to the forward end frame member, said rod having sliding telescoping engagement in a channel or tubular opening carried by the apron end portions.

By such means, it will be seen that during conversion from davenport to bed position, as from the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, the apron 95 will swing inwardly of the seat frame to the position in Fig. 2 and will at all times be controlled in such movement by virtue of the telescopic or sliding rod 97 pivotally carried by the end frame front portion.

I claim:

1. An article of combination furniture convertible as a davenport and as a bed including a main frame, a bed frame comprising a plurality of sections pivotally connected together and relatively movable to be folded in side by side nested storage position in said main frame when in davenport position and also movable to lie in substantially the sarne plane in bed position, a davenport backrest hingedly and slidably connected to one of said sections, a davenport seat hingedly connected to said back rest, cooperating means pivotally and slidably connecting said main frame and one of said sections and responsive to a movement of said sections to selectively effect a conversion from a davenport to a bed `and vice versa, means for supporting said backrest in substantially upright position on said main frame when .in use as a davenport, cooperating means on said main frame and said seat whereby said backrest and seat are projected forwardly and downwardly of said main frame in folded position in converting the article to a bed, said last named means and other cooperating means including a counterbaiance block on said main frame, a leg depending from said backrest and operatively having contact with said block in a manner to provide a fulcrum in moving the backrest and seat to davenport position, and a bar depending from one of said bed sections toward said block and operatively having sliding engagement with the inclined surface thereof, thus tofacilitate the movement of said bed sections during conversion of the article from davenport to bed position and vice versa.

2. An article of combination furniture convertible as a davenport and as a bed including a main frame, a bed frame comprising twin bed sections pivotally connected together and relatively movable to be folded in side by side nested storage position in said main frame when in davenport position and also movable to lie in substantially the same plane in bed position, a davenport backrest hingedly and slidably connected to one of said sections, and cooperating means pivotally and slidably connecting said main frame, and one of said sections and responsive to Ia movement of said Ysections to selectively effect a conversion from a davenport to a bed and vice versa, said means including a guide member supported on the main frame, a slot in said guide member, a guide bar pivotally and slidably connecting said guide member with one of said bed sections, a link bar pivotally carried at one end in said guide member and slidably connecting said guide bar with said guide member, and means including a push bar operatively connected to -said link bar and responsive to movements of the bed sections to bed position to move forwardly and space said article from a room wall to provide clearance for said bed sections in bed position when said article is converted to twin beds.

3. An article of combination furniture convertible as a davenport and as a bed including ya main frame, a bed frame comprising a plurality of sections pivotally connected together and relatively movable to be folded in side by side nested storage position in said main frame when in davenport position and also movable to lie in substantially the saine plane in bed position, a davenport backrest hingedly and slidably connected to one of said sections, and cooperating means pivotally and slidably connecting said main frame and one of said sections and responsivel to a movement of said sections to selectively effect a conversion from a davenport to a bed and vice versa, said means including a guide member supported on the main frame, and a guide bar pivotally and slidably connecting said guide member with the most forwardly extendable of said bed sections.

4. An article of combination furniture convertible as a davenport and as a bled including a main frame, a bed frame comprisingy a plurality of sections pivotally connected ltogether and relatively movable to be folded in side by side nested storage position in said main frame when in davenport position and also movable to lie in substantially the lsame plane in bed position, a davenport backrest hingedly and slidably connected to one of said sections, and cooperating means pivotally and. slidably connecting said main frame and one of said sections and responsive'to a movement of said sections to selectively effect a conversio'nfrom a davenport to a bed and vice versa, said means including a guide member supported on the mainframe, aguide bar pivotally and slidably connecting said guide member with the most forwardly extendable bed section, and a link bar pivotally connected at one end to said guide member and pivotally and slidably connected at its other end to said guide bar.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 895,264 Harris etal Aug. 4, 1908 1,289,442 Gordon Dec. 31, 1918 1,303,473 Hall May 13, 1919 1,321,606 Dewey Nov. 11, 1919 1,489,430 Dewey Apr. 8, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS 349,760 France June 12, 1905 

